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Suggestions for New CD Player

I'm looking for a new CD player, modestly priced under $1,500, that will  work well with a 2-channel system featuring B&W 804S floorstanders, a McIntosh MC402 power amp, and a Magnum Dynalab MD208 receiver used as a preamp.

My wife and I mostly listen to classical music, and have an extensive CD collection, particularly heavy in orchestral (e.g., Mahler, Beethoven) and opera (Wagner, Verdi) and piano/violin.  (My wife is a Julliard-trained musician.)   Pre-pandemic, we were frequent concert-goers, preferring about rows 8-15.  We also rock out on occasion. We appreciate fine equipment, but we're music-lovers rather than true audiophiles.

We previously had a Consonance Droplet CD player (tubed, nice sound quality, when it worked, which wasn't often enough) and a Lexicon RT-20 (a little harsh, and wouldn't play many discs).  I won't buy a used player.  In my experience, CD mechanisms are the most fragile of all components.

I realize I'm asking a lot at this price point, but life itself is compromise.  Don't really care about wireless capability or digital files.  SACD is nice, but redbook capability is what really matters to us.  Considering Cambridge Audio 851, Rega Apollo, but open to suggestions.

Your thoughts?






gg107
mahler123
3,028 posts
 
You guys love Classical Music.  I would get a Universal Player so that you can play the abundant Classical SACDs and Blu Rays.
Sony and Pioneer make Universal Players, I own the Pioneer which cost a 1K, the Sony goes for around $400.  If you buy the Sony you can add a nice external DAC for 1K and still be under budget and really have a nice system 
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
1,989 posts
 
I’d look for either the audiolab cdt6000 (transport) or a marantz hd CD-1 (use as transport). Then combine either with a Border Patrol dac with Tubed power supply. Together, that will put you at about your budget, and you still get the benefit of tubes, albeit in the power supply of the border patrol. The Marantz hd cd-1 is known to be a very good when uses as a transport, and also very good as a stand alone redbook cd player. I own both and must say they are very nice products. Another "tubed" dac would be the jolida glass dac 111. Do not do universal players! They are generally used for video/blue ray/dvd etc, and just happen to play cd's as well. Focus on dedicated audio cd transports/players. Jmo.

bobauch
28 posts
 
I had an almost identical situation over a year ago,  and went with an Audiolab transport and Topping D50s dac. The latter was intended to be a bit of a stopgap measure, figuring I'd replace it after a few months if it wasnt up to my taste. I've now had it a year and its going nowhere. 
     The Audiolab made a big difference in sound over my Denon 1920 universal player, even with an original Cambridge audio dacmajic paired with it for a couple of months before the Topping purchase.
    As in your case , redbook was my primary concern. The Audiolab does that brilliantly. I find the Topping to do Redbook well but has additional flexibility such as higher bandwidths and excellent Bluetooth connectivity. 
hifihandyman's avatar
hifihandyman
77 posts
 
I bought the top of the line Sony CD/DVD player and stops working frequently.  I have sent it back to Sony and they have sent me a brand-new replacement unit several times, but the same problem keeps happening.  I gave it to a friend and the same thing happens, so it’s not my house or my system which I thought was a possibility. This is a $500 machine.  Back in the 1990’s, these players, even the cheapest ones, would work perfectly for years!  Why do new things just not work?  For the OP, try to find something with a good service process in place if it breaks.  Sony, has top-tier service, but frequent failures, so it’s a catch-22!
pmm
218 posts
 
hickamore :
I stand corrected.

In English, "A cdp can be prone to issues".
and
" don’t marry Dora, she can be prone to issues"
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